windermere or lake mary!! HELP!! (Winter Garden, Seminole: cul-de-sac, apartment, renting)

[mahatmajy]

Hi there!
We (my husband and I) are currently living maitland apartment (renting).
We recently found 2 homes, one in windermere and the other in lake mary.

spec on windermere home is;
price at 255k. gated community 4beds 3baths 3 car garages 2300 sq ft.
1 story with a pool. built in 2003

home in lake mary is;
price at 262k. guard gated community. golf community. cul-de-sac. 4 beds 3baths. 2 car garages 2900 sq ft. 2 story w/o pool. built in 1989.

We don't have a child and have no plan maybe for 3-5 years. My husband is working at altamonte springs but he may change his job location in 2012...

Sizes of both homes are pretty satisfied. I am a big fan of a private pool and a little bit worried about the old home. Also, my husband LOVES 3 car garages even though we only have 2 cars.

Do you guys think which property is good for living? HELP!

Thanks

[boy3365]

Lake Mary is closer to your job but the Windermere house most likely won't have some of the problems an older home would have. I know that didn't help...

[brinkofsunshine]

I would personally go for the Windermere house, because I like newer construction usually and prefer that area. Both houses are probably fine, though. It really depends on what you want and what area you think you could be happier in.

[beckycat]

I agree Lake Mary is closer to your DH's job. If you get a good inspection and everything looks good, it maybe a consideration. You have to remember, a 20 year old house may have had some things replaced like the roof or A/C which maybe newer than the 2003 home. On the other hand, if not, you may need to replace those items soon. I'd get a home warranty that covers some of those things.
You may like Windermere better, who knows. I'd chose by the area I like the best.

Good luck!

[mahatmajy]

I am also concerned about the condition of lake mary's house. We don't have enough money to repair major things...Also, just wondering, is windermere's school rating is a way worse than lake mary's? My friends said seminole county's school is better than orange county. I don't have children SO FAR but just want to know.

[cfIfan]

Windermere schools are just as good as schools in Seminloe county. People like to make a big fuss about Seminole County schools but every area has good schools and bad schools and it depends on the location of the home on which school you will be zoned for. Its always best I find to plan for the future even if you dont have children now or even the idea of having children now because you never know whether you will be staying or not or even if children become a part of your future sooner than you expect.

Originally Posted by mahatmajy

I am also concerned about the condition of lake mary's house. We don't have enough money to repair major things...Also, just wondering, is windermere's school rating is a way worse than lake mary's? My friends said seminole county's school is better than orange county. I don't have children SO FAR but just want to know.

[geeoro]

Make sure that your surveyor checks properly that there is no Chinese dry wall in any proprties between 2001 and 2007. It rots the copper wiring and can cause illness. The surveyor c should take a wall socket out from each room and check for damage. Good luck withr house hunting

[Booya]

I love Windermre and the house sounds like a good one. That said Lake Mary has a lot to offer. Windermere is a small enclave but once your out of the town there's not much in the immediate vicinity.

There is a lot to be said for Seminole County Schools if your looking further down the line.
Seminole County is a more affluent overall and has a lot to offer. It's a hard call. Myself I put more stock in the overall feel of a place, the environment, culture, beauty of the area rather than just the house. I would rather live in a slightly less wonderful house and be in the area that meets my desire for beauty and esthetics overall.
I would visit the area so you can get a feel.

[justinmac]

I really like Windermere as well, being close to Disney retains property value, and families live there to raise their kids. It is peaceful, but also centrally located as well. You have Downtown Windermere, and Winter Garden near by, the Winter Garden Village which offers a wide variety of shopping and dining. It is very safe and access to roads may take just a few minutes, but that is what you want there. There are plenty of gated communities which offer imenities and luxury, even the ones that are not gated are kept up well. I highly recommend this area for relocation. Hop that helped!

[nikki angel]

Originally Posted by geeoro

Make sure that your surveyor checks properly that there is no Chinese dry wall in any proprties between 2001 and 2007. It rots the copper wiring and can cause illness. The surveyor c should take a wall socket out from each room and check for damage. Good luck withr house hunting

Hi can you please educate me on what is Chinese Dry Wall...i do see this popping up but don't understand what it means??!!!